Halifax Thunderbirds drop Game 1 of NLL Finals against Toronto Rock

Halifax Thunderbirds' Jason Knox (11) puts a shot on Toronto Rock goaltender Nick Rose (66), with pressure from Toronto Rock's Elijah Gash (81) and Bradley Kri (20), during the second quarter of game 1 of the National Lacrosse League final in Hamilton on Friday, May 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

HAMILTON — Rookie of the year CJ Kirst had four goals and two assists to lead the Toronto Rock past the Halifax Thunderbirds 13-11 on Friday in Game 1 of the National Lacrosse League final.

Game 2 of the best-of-three series is on Sunday in Halifax.

Sam English scored twice and added three assists for the Rock, who play out of Hamilton’s TD Coliseum. Owen Hiltz had a pair of goals, and Josh Dawick, Challen Rogers, Chris Boushy, Dan Craig, and Mark Matthews added singles.

Nick Rose made 38 saves for the win in net for Toronto.

Jason Knox had a hat trick for the Thunderbirds, and Cody Jamieson struck twice. Casey Wilson, Jake Withers, Mike Robinson, Clarke Petterson, Stephen Keogh and Wake:Riat BowHunter also scored.

Goaltender Warren Hill stopped 46 of 58 shots.

It’s the first time in 11 years that two Canadian teams have met for the NLL championship.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2026.

The Canadian Press